A BRAND-NEW train operator is hoping to launch services between the UK and Europe, offering ‘competitive fares’ for passengers.
Currently, Eurostar is the only rail operator that connects the UK to destinations across Europe, including cities in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
This could all change as a new train operating company, Gemini,has announced its plans to launch services between the UK and Europe.
The new train operator, which is currently being established, hopes to begin its rail journey by launching services from London to Paris and Brussels.
Once services between London and Paris/Brussels have launched, Gemini hopes to further its list of European destinations.
The new rail operator plans to introduce ‘new cutting-edge trains and a fresh approach to sales and ticketing’ on services between the UK and Europe.
It hopes to run ‘Open Access’ services to compete on the cross-channel route between the UK and Europe.
An open access rail service is a rail service operated by a private company, outside of any government contract.
Gemini has applied to the Office of Rail and Road for access to Eurostar’s Temple Mills International maintenance depot.
The company is also in discussion with key stakeholders around
other train maintenance facilities – although further details have yet to be revealed.
Chair Lord Berkeley said: “Our team has real strength, depth, vision and dynamism and is superbly placed to offer customers choice on what is currently a monopoly route.”
Meanwhile, Gemini CEO, Adrian Quine, added: “The high-speed line connecting London and the continent through the Channel Tunnel is one of the great rail routes.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”The Sun reviews business class travel on the Eurostar ” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6349824436112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“With a whole new generation now choosing trains over planes, there is a great opportunity to bring real entrepreneurial flair and dynamism with competitive fares to Europe’s premier route”.
It is not yet known when Gemini will launch rail services or how much tickets will cost.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D110243%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]However, it could make train travel to Europe cheaper, with more competition often meaning lower fares.
Gemini isn’t the only train operator eyeing up routes between the UK and Europe.
Earlier this year, Virgin revealed its latest plans to take on Eurostar by ordering a dozen new trains to Europe.
According to the Telegraph, models chosen include trains from Japanese Hitachi, German Siemens, Spanish operator Talgo and France‘s Alstom, the Telegraph reports.
The entire project is slated to cost £1billion, with the train purchase is expected to cost £500million.
If given the go-ahead, the new trains could launch to Europe by 2029.
And back in 2023, Start up operator Evolyn also announced plans for trains between London and Paris.
The new fleet initially hoped to launch a service as soon as this year – although this is likely to be delayed.
The Sun travel team visited every city in Europe you can visit by direct train – here’s what we thought.
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